sponsored: #RUNNOVATION – Famous Faces

By Competitor.com, Published Sep. 2, 2013

This is Runnovation.

Born in 1986, just two years before Dick Beardsley retired, Jenny Simpson rose to the top at a young age, becoming a five-time state champion in high school track and three-time champion in cross country. She is now a steeplechaser and middle-distance runner, setting the American record in the 3,000 meters and steeplechase. She won the mile and 3,000 meters at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships and the 1,500 meters at the World Championships as well as qualifying for both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Most recently Simpson won silver in the 1,500 at the World Championships in Moscow. She distinctly remembers going on her first intentional run when she was in the third grade — kids kept track of their laps running around the playground by collecting popsicle sticks and Simpson wanted to have the most.